Most ducked boxer of all time, any weight

[Hanz_Blitz]

I'm sure it's been done many times but I haven't been part of one so any boxing die hards, opinions please?

Seano specifically

 

[Corleone187]

lucia rijker?

 

[MisterT]

Charley Burley deserves to be mentioned. Even Sugar Ray (Robinson) was hesitant on fighting him.

 

[Jayofteror]

Right now, I believe one of the most avoided fighters is Erislandy Lara. This guy just came out of nowhere and put Paul Williams through the grinder. Nobody had even heard of him, he was suppose to be a sacrificial lamb for Williams, yet the kid out boxed Williams beautifully. The judges gave the decision to Williams, who was breathing heavy and bleeding, while Lara looked unscathed. The scoring was so bad the judges were suspended. Lara's team was so outraged they begged for a rematch. Paul Williams, a boxer who many believed was the most avoided boxer, wanted no part of a rematch with Lara. I would say that Lara is currently the most avoided boxer at 154 pounds. lol

Sergio Martinez, after knocking out his last few opponents, is another great boxer without a dance partner. Simply put, he does not do great PPV numbers, but he is extremely dangerous. Sergio has great foot movement movement, he is unorthodox, and showed improved punching power ever since knocking out Paul Williams. Sergio is the fighter who represents a lot of risk for little reward. Some simply call him, a career killer. You never hear anyone call out his name.

The most avoided boxer of all time is probably "The Boston Terror" Sam Langford. He was short, stocky, and had more knock outs than George Foreman and Mike Tyson combined. He never won a world title because nobody wanted any part of him. He was only 5 foot 6 and 1/2 inches and weighed in at around 165 pounds. He fought lightweights, middleweights, and even heavyweights. Often knocking out men who outweighted him by 20-40 pounds. His record was 179 wins with 129 knockouts and 31 losses and 40 draws. His record includes wins over a dozen or so all time greats. It has been rumored that even Jack Dempsey avoided a fight with Sam Lanford. Keep in mind that during these times black athletes like Lanford were denied many opportunities.

Later in his career, past his prime---he accumulated most of his losses. He lost some of his eyesight from his battles in the ring. Yet many sport writers attest that even partially blind, he continued boxing and still knocked out many world class boxers. Sam Langford was one of the most ferocious and avoided fighters in history. He will always be remembered as The Boston Terror.

-J

 

[Kliven1122]

John

 

[Kuzu Ken**]

Charley Burley deserves to be mentioned. Even Sugar Ray (Robinson) was hesitant on fighting him.

I'm pretty sure Ray "avoided" the fight to fight someone else for a bigger purse. Can't remember who. Also, Burley supposedly said he would have done the same if he was in Robinson's position.

 

[Seano]

Good call on MArtinez. NO ONE wants that guy right now.

Marvin Hagler early on. Larry Holmes.

As for Burley, I do seem to recall someone from Robinsons team saying they did not want that fight but can't recall specifics.

Tough question really.
Sam Langford and Jack Johnson, though both guys did get good fights eventually.

 

[Seano]

If I'm not mistaken, Seano was the one who favoured Floyd Mayweather Jr. over Marvin Hagler at Middleweight. Why are you interested in his opinion?

.

Sugar Ray Leonard was a welterweight.

 

[jtserrano]

wow i was acually gonna make this thread , someone read my mind and beat me to it

 

[consortium11]

Right now, I believe one of the most avoided fighters is Erislandy Lara. This guy just came out of nowhere and put Paul Williams through the grinder. Nobody had even heard of him, he was suppose to be a sacrificial lamb for Williams, yet the kid out boxed Williams beautifully. The judges gave the decision to Williams, who was breathing heavy and bleeding, while Lara looked unscathed. The scoring was so bad the judges were suspended. Lara's team was so outraged they begged for a rematch. Paul Williams, a boxer who many believed was the most avoided boxer, wanted no part of a rematch with Lara. I would say that Lara is currently the most avoided boxer at 154 pounds. lol

That's not exactly true is it?

Lara was an incredibly well regarded Cuban amateur star (a world champion) and came in to the professional game at roughly the same time as Rigondeaux and Gamboa. He was repeatedly featured on TV bouts and PPV undercards and was a pretty well known name. The only reason people were soft on him going into the Williams bout was that he had only gained a draw against the distinctly underrated Carlos Molina... and if people had paid attention to how woeful Williams is against southpaws they'd have known an upset was on the cards.

The most avoided boxer of all time is probably "The Boston Terror" Sam Langford. He was short, stocky, and had more knock outs than George Foreman and Mike Tyson combined. He never won a world title because nobody wanted any part of him. He was only 5 foot 6 and 1/2 inches and weighed in at around 165 pounds. He fought lightweights, middleweights, and even heavyweights. Often knocking out men who outweighted him by 20-40 pounds. His record was 179 wins with 129 knockouts and 31 losses and 40 draws. His record includes wins over a dozen or so all time greats. It has been rumored that even Jack Dempsey avoided a fight with Sam Lanford. Keep in mind that during these times black athletes like Lanford were denied many opportunities.

Later in his career, past his prime---he accumulated most of his losses. He lost some of his eyesight from his battles in the ring. Yet many sport writers attest that even partially blind, he continued boxing and still knocked out many world class boxers. Sam Langford was one of the most ferocious and avoided fighters in history. He will always be remembered as The Boston Terror. -J

This on the other hand I agree with completely. Either Langford or one of Murderers' Row is probably the most likely answer.

 

[soggyfist]

For a time Archie Moore

 

[Sharkey]

Taken from Clay Moyle's excellant bio on Langford and was originally written circa 1907 by W. O. McGeehan;


Who'll fight Sam Langford?

Who'll fight Sam Langford?
"Not I," said Stanley K.,
"Britt has taken me away
And I'm signed to do a play.
Then I'm going to the hay.
I'll not fight Sam Langford."

Who'll fight Sam Langford?
"Not I," said Jack the Twin,
"I am careful of my chin
And I'm pretty near all in,
And suicide's a sin.
I'll not fight Sam Langford."

Who'll fight Sam Langford?
"Not I," is Papke's wail,
"I'm a lily white and pale
And my life is not for sale;
Why I'd sooner go to jail.
I'll not fight Sam Langford"

Who'll fight Sam Langford?
"Not I," said Kid McCoy,
"I'm a pretty game old boy,
But this unrefined employ
I will leave for hoi polloi.
I'll not fight Sam Langford"

Who'll fight Sam Langford?
"Not I," said poor old Fitz,
"Though I'd fight for just six bits,
Still I haven't lost my wits;
I'll preserve my speckled mitts.
I'll not fight Sam Langford."

Who'll fight Sam Langford?
"Not I," said Hugo Kelly,
"He would pound me to a jelly
And I'd lose some vermicalli.
Not for me. What ta helli?
I'll not fight Sam Langford."

Who'll fight Sam Langford?
"Not I," said Joe da Grim,
"I no like to fight with him
Cause he shutta up my glim
And da chances are too slim.
I'll notta fight Sam Langford."

Who'll fight Sam Langford?
"Not I," Al Kaufman said,
"You are crazy in the head.
Chase yourself and go to bed.
I ain't anxious to be dead.
I'll not fight Sam Langford."

Who'll fight Sam Langford?
"Not us," the low brows cried
And they turned around to hide.
"Nix; the color line is wide,
And we're going to stay inside.
We'll not fight Sam Langford."

 

[Seano]

Another guy not getting a lot of good fights early on was Sonny Liston. He didn't fight anyone really noteworthy until he knocked out Patterson. Machen and Folley were the best names he fought.

Tough call, every name I think of eventually got a big fight or two.

 

[Jayofteror]

That's not exactly true is it?

Lara was an incredibly well regarded Cuban amateur star (a world champion) and came in to the professional game at roughly the same time as Rigondeaux and Gamboa. He was repeatedly featured on TV bouts and PPV undercards and was a pretty well known name. The only reason people were soft on him going into the Williams bout was that he had only gained a draw against the distinctly underrated Carlos Molina... and if people had paid attention to how woeful Williams is against southpaws they'd have known an upset was on the cards.



This on the other hand I agree with completely. Either Langford or one of Murderers' Row is probably the most likely answer.

Thanks for the feedback Consortium. I will have to acknowledge that I was one of those who thought a lot higher of Williams than most. I did not anticipate the Sergio Martinez knock out nor did I think Lara would outbox him like that. I gave Williams the benefit of the doubt and it blew up in my face. lol

However, I am really liking Lara and cannot wait to see what becomes of his career. I have to remember that like Gamboa, Cuba has some amatuer boxers that are on par with American professional boxing. Damn, the same could be said for some of their amateur baseball players. Some of those kids down in Cuba are throwing 100+ mph fastballs. *smh*

Anyway, good feed back.

-J

 

[TexasDrugAddict**]

lucia rijker?

Niether Ali, Martin or St. John would fight her in her prime and i would take her over Wolfe too, if they ever fought back then. She was a Monster.

 

[Seano]

Anne Wolfe was a lot bigger than Rijker. So was Ali. I didn't really follow womens boxing, did they REALLY duck her? Not a dick question, really want to know.

 

[Sharkey]

It has been rumored that even Jack Dempsey avoided a fight with Sam Lanford.

Not exactly a rumour as Dempsey has came out and admitted it in the past. Such as with his words in Heller's 'In This Corner' from 1971;


"I think Sam Langford was the greatest fighter we ever had. In 1916 I came here and had a couple of fights and won them. I was managed by a fellow named John the Barber. After winning these two fights he said, "I got a good fight for you." I said, "Who is it?" He says, "Sam Langford." I said, "Not me! Goodbye!" He was a great fighter and I didn't have the experience to fight a man like that. He was a hell of a puncher, never been licked, so why should I get my brains knocked out for nothing? Even at my best I don't know whether I could lick him or not. He was a good man, good puncher, rough, tough."


Dempsey very likely deserves a pass for that one, though, considering where he was at that point in his young career.

 

[TexasDrugAddict**]

Anne Wolfe was a lot bigger than Rijker. So was Ali. I didn't really follow womens boxing, did they REALLY duck her? Not a dick question, really want to know.

Wolfe was never really someone that ducked Rijker but Ali did. Rijker asked her Several times for catchwieght fights and she never would even speak.her name. i think they were only 15-20 lbs apart. Rijker still wants the fight. today.

 

[Seano]

Ali and Rijker were more like 25 or 30 pounds apart. Ali ducked Ann Wolfe. I know that.

 

[TexasDrugAddict**]

Ali and Rijker were more like 25 or 30 pounds apart. Ali ducked Ann Wolfe. I know that.

Yeah Ali wouldn't fight Wolfe for shit but she did adviod Rijker too. Rijker was begging Martin and Ali to fight her back in the late 90s and finally signed to fight Martin in 05 or 06 but she got hurt and the fight was canned but Ali fought Martin instead and that pissed of her off til no end.Ali came in at 160+ and Martin came in at 150 some. I read an article last yr where She still begging Ali for the fight.